Village Offering Engraved Bricks for Settler's Cottage Restoration

If you’d like to become a permanent part of Montgomery history, and support its preservation at the same time, now’s your chance.

From now until June 30, you can buy an engraved stone paver that will be placed this summer in the pathway around Settler’s Cottage on River Street. The pavers can be engraved with your name, or in memory of a loved one.

There are two sizes available. A 4-inch by 7-inch brick can hold up to three lines of engraving, and costs $100. A larger 7-inch by 8-inch brick can hold up to four lines of engraving, and costs $200.

All the proceeds will go to the Montgomery Historic Preservation Commission, and will be used for the restoration and maintenance of Settler’s Cottage and other projects.

Settler’s Cottage was built in 1840 and owned by Daniel Gray, the founder of Montgomery. The yellow wooden house has been on River Street ever since. But when the village drafted plans to build a new village hall on that spot, the house was slated for demolition.

The Preservation Commission stepped in, asking the village to save the house. They were told the village would not pay to restore it, so they set to work raising funds. For the last six years, they’ve been doing just that—the annual village garage sales are a regular fundraiser for Settler’s Cottage, and donations gathered at events like the Riverside Cemetery Walk go a long way.

Settler’s Cottage now serves as a history museum, open during the summer months. The Commission is now raising money to restore the steps leading up to the front door, so visitors can use them, and this fundraiser will help get them closer to that goal. 

The new pavers will join those already there. All pavers purchased by June 30 will be laid this summer. You can still buy pavers after June, but they’ll be placed in the walkway at a later date. Pavers are available at , 200 N. River Street.

For more information, call Debbie Buchanan at 630-896-8080 ext. 1114, or check out the village’s website.